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Gillard open to media law amendments

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the government is willing to consider sensible changes to its proposed media laws, but won't be "cross-trading or horse-trading".

Labor wants its package of bills passed by the end of the week, putting in place changes to broadcasting rules and a new public interest media advocate to oversee press and online standards and media mergers and acquisitions.

Ms Gillard does not yet have the numbers to get the bills through the lower house and two committees are hearing evidence from media bosses and other interested parties on Monday.

"What we've said is we don't want the intent of our reforms to be distorted in any way," the prime minister told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

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"We've got the parliament committee process in train now and we will see what immediately arises from the parliamentary committees.

"(But) our intention remains to pursue the legislation that is before the parliament now."

Ms Gillard said if there were "sensible suggestions" out of the committee process, the government would listen to them.

"But we are not in the business of cross-trading or horse-trading on these bills."

Asked whether she would take a media policy to the federal election, she said she would make "further statements" after the parliamentary sitting week was over.